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Microscope Museum Collection of antique microscopes and other
scientific instruments |
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Microscope
455 (Bausch & Lomb;
stereoscopic microscope, model BKT; 1943)
Bausch & Lomb was founded by two
immigrants from Germany, Jacob Bausch, and Henry Lomb. Bausch was both an
optician and woodworker by training. Their company first became successful
with the use of hard rubber eyeglass frames. This eventually allowed
expansion of the business into other optical areas including microscopes.
Bausch’s son Edward learned to make microscopes, and the company prospered
after it began to manufacture them. The first patent granted to Bausch was
for a very simple Linen prover type microscope in 1865. About 1874, the firm
started to produce both simple and compound microscopes. In 1890 Edward
Bausch contacted Carl Zeiss, a German optics firm, and soon arranged for
Bausch & Lomb to license Zeiss’s patents, with the exclusive rights to
the U.S. market. In 1907 Zeiss bought 20% of Bausch & Lomb, granting the
company free use of Zeiss patents in the United States. In 1915 Zeiss sold
its 20% share back to Bausch & Lomb, and until 1921, the two companies
had no dealings with one another (although Bausch & Lomb continued to use
Zeiss patents). In 1926 Jacob Bausch died, and Edward Bausch became chairman
of the board. In 1937 Bausch & Lomb went public. The Bausch & Lomb's
optical systems division was bought by Cambridge Instruments in 1987, using
the name Cambridge instruments. Cambridge Instruments merged with Wild-Leitz in 1990 to form Leica plc. Microscope 455 is a
stereoscopic microscope engraved with “BAUSCH & LOMB OPT CO., U.S.A.” and
the serial number MD778. The instrument should be dated to 1943. The
stereoscopic binocular head is also engraved with “PAT. 1622350” and “PAT.
1962834”. The USA patent 1622350 was attributed to Bausch & Lomb in March
1927, covering the invention of a new improved mechanism for varying the
magnification power of microscope binocular heads (Figure 1). The USA patent
1962834 was attributed to Bausch & Lomb in June 1934, covering further
improvement to the same type of binocular heads (Figure 2). Microscope 455 is
described in a 1945 Bausch & Lomb’s catalogue as a stereoscopic microscope
model BKT (Figure 3). Note: this instrument was kindly
donated by Dave Levell (Pembrokeshire, Wales) in May 2023.
Figure 1. Illustrations describing the Bausch
& Lomb’s improved mechanism for varying the magnification power of
microscope binocular heads, as featured in USA Patent 622350.
Figure 2. Illustrations describing the Bausch
& Lomb’s improved stereoscopic binocular head and its mechanism for
varying the magnification power, as featured in USA Patent 1962834.
Figure 3. Bausch & Lomb’s stereoscopic
microscope model BKT as featured in a 1945 catalogue of the firm. |
